sion. Returning home he
began to think of his wicked ways, and at once felt condemned. His mind
became so agitated that his body was affected. His heart palpitated in
a very violent manner, his sight left him, and he thought death was at
hand. Very sure was he that he was not prepared to die. Falling on his
knees he cried to God to have mercy on his soul. Though it was late at
night his mother heard his cries, sprang from her bed, and was soon at
his side praying for her son, and exhorting him to look to Christ for
mercy. They prayed together a long time, and little sleep came to them
that night. Jasper resolved from that time to be a Christian. He asked
his father to sell the racehorse, and gave his pack of cards to his
mother, who threw them into the fire.

However, it was many days before Jasper really felt that he was
converted. Finally he found peace of mind at a camp meeting. We quote
from a record of his experience: "On the Saturday evening of said
meeting I went with weeping multitudes, bowed before the sand, and
earnestly prayed for mercy. In the midst of a solemn struggle of soul
an impression was made on my mind as though a voice said to me: 'Thy
sins are all forgiven thee.' Divine light flashed all around me,
unspeakable joy sprang up in my soul. I rose to my feet, opened my
eyes, and it really seemed as if I were in heaven; the trees, the
leaves on them, and every thing seemed to be, and I really thought
were, praising God. My mother raised a shout, my Christian friends
crowded around me and joined me in praising God--I have never doubted
that the Lord did then and there forgive my sins and gave me religion."
He went on his way rejoicing, and before he reached his majority became
a backwoods preacher. He had been ranging over the hills and valleys of
Kentucky for four years, preaching the gospel in many places, when he
is introduced to our readers.

Jasper Very was known early in his ministry as a great camp meeting
preacher. He was always partial to such gatherings, partly because at
one of them he had found religion. These meetings in the woods, "God's
first temples," are of enough importance to merit description in
another chapter.

CHAPTER II.

An Old Time Camp Meeting.

To Kentucky belongs the honor of originating the modern camp meeting.
This is no small distinction, when we consider how these institutions
have spread over the land and the great good they have done. Camp
meetings grew o